Cost of assisted living, nursing home care in Wisconsin higher than U.S.

The median annual cost of an assisted living facility in Wisconsin is $42,451 compared with $41,400 nationally, while the cost for a private room in a nursing home is $96,725 in the state compared with $83,950 nationally, according to the 10th annual survey by Genworth Financial Inc.

The estimated cost of an assisted living facility has increased on average 2.5% a year in Wisconsin and 4.3% nationally in the past five years, according to Genworth, an insurance holding company that sells long-term care insurance.

The cost of a nursing home has increased on average by 6.8% a year in Wisconsin and 4.5% nationally over the past five years.

The median cost of a home care worker is $20 an hour in Wisconsin compared with $18 an hour nationally, while the median cost of a home health aide is $22 an hour compared with $19 an hour nationally, according to the survey.

The cost of a home care worker, who typically provides help with daily activities such as dressing, cooking, laundry and shopping, has increased 2.7% a year over the past five years in Wisconsin compared with an average of 0.8% a year nationally.

The cost of a home health care aide has increased an average of 2.2% a year in Wisconsin compared with 1% a year nationally in that time period.

The survey has shown a steady move away from traditional nursing home care to in-home care, assisted living and adult day care over the past decade, Genworth said.

The survey includes almost 15,000 long-term care providers nationwide.